title: On being gay in Barbados: "Bullers" and "Battyboys" and their HIV risk in a societal context of stigma.
abstract: Limited research exists about gay men in the Caribbean region. A qualitative study was conducted to characterize gay men in Barbados, their HIV risk, and the impact of stigma on their lives. The 2 main groups of gay men ("bougies" and "ghetto") reflect social class and level of "outness" in broader society. Homophobia, stigma, and buggery (sodomy) laws increase their HIV vulnerability. The need for anti-discrimination legislation and tools for self-development were identified for gay men to realize their strengths, develop their self-worth, and protect themselves from HIV.
authors.affiliation: Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California 94105, USA. andres.maiorana@ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maiorana
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rebchook
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kassie
authors.forename: Janet J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001460:Barbados / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D063509:Homophobia; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult